Jacob Nethercott

Why did you originally apply to do your chosen course at Birmingham?

I chose to study Physics at Birmingham because of the incredible depth and breadth of the course. Birmingham offers a range of interesting, detailed modules that cannot be found in many other similar courses, as well as having lecturers who are experts in their chosen fields.

What do you think are the best points of your course?

I think the best parts of my course include the large degree of choice that I am trusted with in my degree, as well as the interesting subject matter. Being able to pick from a large number of interesting and unique modules that span various fields and knowing that I will still be taught by an expert in said field makes me much more confident in the direction of my studies.

What’s the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?

To me, the best thing about studying at the University are the incredible opportunities provided. As well as a myriad of summer internships and work opportunities, and the dozens of opportunities to study abroad through Go Global, Birmingham also has dozens of interesting societies and sports that I have enjoyed going out of my way to engage with.

What’s the highlight of your time at the University?

My highlight of my time at the University must be the diverse group of people I’ve met here. As a top university, Birmingham attracts students from all walks of life, and the range of people I’ve met and befriended have really made me feel at home here.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying on the course?

My advice would be to manage your time as much as possible. Physics is a challenging course with a large number of contact hours, so factoring in other societies/ clubs means that its quite easy to get overwhelmed - time management is a super important skill to develop to do well.

Is there anything extra students thinking about studying on the course should know?

Students should also know about the wide range of careers advice and opportunities available to Physics students. The department holds regular talks, online and in-person, on CV writing, internship and job applications, and postgrad opportunities, all of which are useful in planning future careers.